Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:57 pmPosts: 265Location: United States of America

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:15 pm

My friend would like some a second bass drum or a double bass pedal. Any suggestions for something cheap and reliable? Please suggest one of each ( double pedal and double drum.) Also which do you think is better?

I don't know the name for it, the "shotgun kick" I suppose, but I like doing it with one foot as opposed to two. Kinda like if you listen to "Wax Simulacra" by The Mars Volta, all the drumming in the intro is done with one foot. It's not godly, but I love how it sounds and feels.

Do you mean using your leg and the ball of your foot to produce a rapid succession of hits? That's called constant release, it's like heel toe cept you use the ball of your foot and your toe instead of your heel and your toe. I use it too, you don't need high tension for it though.

Oh yeah, I agree completely about having a jazz like kit. A lot of modern music has drums that are so eq'd (and triggered) post production and whatnot that they don't even sound like real drumkits anymore, they might as well be being playing on an electronic kit and be done with it. Bass drums should boom, not click like a pen.

Last edited by damaramou on Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:55 am, edited 1 time in total.

Anybody here, what do you think are some good Cymbals (Crash, Ride, Hi-Hats, Splash, China, Bell)? What are some good drum pedals, microphones, and snare drums, and drum heads? I found a Behringer $19.99. It got good reviews. Is it a Good Buy? Sorry for these dumb questions, If you think there dumb!

Anybody here, what do you think are some good Cymbals (Crash, Ride, Hi-Hats, Splash, China, Bell)? What are some good drum pedals, microphones, and snare drums, and drum heads? I found a Behringer $19.99. It got good reviews. Is it a Good Buy? Sorry for these dumb questions, If you think there dumb!

It's impossible to answer that. Even if you set a price cap, it's all preference.

Dude, preferences on drums and drum parts are all about trial and error. You have to find what works for you. It's cool to ask every once in awhile, but other than that you have to try these things for yourself to see how they work.

I usually go with Sabian, B8's are good for starters, cheap and last for a little bit, (i bought a B8 16" crash about 4 months ago and it just started to crack now) Ive had AAX's last forever, but their about double the price new. the factory is only a province over so its an easy send to get it replaced for free(only shipping costs you end up paying)

I just bought a new double-pedal on june and it's a Pearl Power Shifter. I paid it 239$ and it's a very good one on a very good price and like the one that sold me this pedal said: with Pearl you cannot make a mistake it's always good. I also saw a Gibraltar at 160$ in a shop in Quebec city but I guess you can find it anywhere in the world. But buy this Pearl, it's very good.

I don't know if you can get a snare that sounds like this. Sure on an electronic drum but in a true drum I don't know but I hope they have snares that sounds like this because it's great. I listened to a DVD of Helloween live and Dani Lobe has snare that sounds a little bit like this so maybe. For me, my snare sound is just fucking shit it sucks and when he is opened there is no power it sounds like a jungle drum it just sucks.

Why the hell are you buying two pairs of the same hihat? Get some variety in there! Or at the least, buy one pair of better hihats, they are the most important cymbals on your kit.

I also would try to avoid just getting the same cymbal but in different sizes.. Several different lines or even brands will get you a lot more tonal variety and diversity and will make for a much more interesting kit.

You're settling for a PST5 ride? Dude, fuck that, upgrade and at least get an Alpha, the PST5 line really blows and the ride is the second most important cymbal you'll have.

Why the fuck are you spending $200 on 10 shitty microphones??? Fuck that!! If you want good mics, spend $400 on a pair of Rode NT-5s, $150 on an Audix D6, $60 for an Audix i5, and $70 each for Audix D2 for each rack tom and $80 each for an Audix D4 for each floor tom. Yeah you're spending more money, but at least you aren't wasting it!

I'm getting two pairs of the same hats because my plan is to have 1 set over on the left-hand side, and one on the right-hand side. It kind of helps when you're doing some really fast hands on the hi-hats such as blast beats, etc. Its kind of hard for me to do those fast hands on the left-hand side set of hats, so, it would be less difficult if I had a second pair so that I could do those fast hands. (Hope I made sense)

I don't know why not try the cymbals from the same series just in different sizes. A lot of people get the Zildjian A-Custom Crashes in different sizes. That’s still like getting the same cymbal in the same series, just in a different size.

I've heard the PST5 Ride on the Paiste website, and I like the sound of it. Now, PST 5s maybe okay. I have a PST 5 Medium Crash 18" in my basement. Now, my limit of spending money is $100-200, and other than the PST 5 Ride, I don't really like the other rides. My other choice is to get a ride in another brand of cymbals, which isn't really my thing. Maybe one cymbal outside the brand you're using is okay, but I just don't like it. Its not that pro. I want my kit to be pro, so that means using all cymbals in the same brand of cymbals.

Remo Coated Emperors are the shit! I have those motherfuckers in my basement, use them as tom heads, and I have one as a snare head. I have the toms low, and the snare high. They really work. Clear heads aren't really me unless they are on my bass drum, and on the bottom side of my snare drum. I kind of fear for some reason that clear heads will break easier.

10 shitty mics? I saw a lot of good reviews on those mics, plus, I kind of a beginner when it comes to using microphones on my kit. If I put the mics you recommended on my list, it will cost to much, and I will have to delete the mics from my list.

EDIT: I'd get Zildjians, espesially the A Customs, BUT there to damn expensive, and I'm not a big fan of there beginning series!

You have a big problem of wanting quality over quantity. If you had LESS crash cymbals or hihats, then you'd be able to get MORE stuff that's actually very good. Those Behringer mics may get good reviews, but the people buying and reviewing them are dumbass little kids who've never heard a good mic. I can understand buying a single $20 Behringer mic when you're completely broke, but there is no excuse to paying $200 on that shit. That money can pay for a snare mic and a good kick drum mic if you buy used.

Again, I'd really recommend at least getting the Paiste Alpha ride over the PST-5... My old drummer had one of those and it wasn't any good at all.

How in the hell are Pearl Drums not good drums? You said better drums. Pearl Drums are the best, mate! If you don't think there good, what kind of drums do you like?

First and foremost, you're obviously a newbie to drums. Your biggest problem is that you expect to blow thousands of dollars on tons of equipment and POOF! You're a metal drummer and you can BLASTRAWRAWRAWR!!!!

It doesn't work that way.

First, you'll develop bad technique and form. Second, you'll play sloppy and out of time. Third, you'll work three times as hard trying to break those habits over the years. And you may actually hurt yourself somewhere in between. No joke.

My point with the "buy better drums" comment had nothing to do with the fact that they're Pearls. Pearl makes competent drums. But the drum LINE and setup that you're looking at is a mass-produced budget line made for unsuspecting, uneducated metal drummer wannabes such as yourself. Don't be taken in by the flashy double bass and "metal" setup. Again, this isn't exclusive to Pearl - Tama does the same thing.

FYI - This isn't meant to be a stab at you, this is to educate you and hopefully prevent you from making the same mistakes that so many new drummers make. You shouldn't want to spend all this money on a huge set and a ton of hardware and mics and try to record. You've got a LONG way to go before you can record...and why would you want to record on budget, shit equipment?

When I say better drums, I mean spend more on a higher-quality kit - Pearl's equivalent would be the Reference line. From the type of wood used to the number of plies, to the hardware, trim, build quality, and most importantly, the SOUND - it absolutely blows that other kit out of the water. Event perfect tuning and the best drum heads out there couldn't make your set sound better. A day would come when you'd want a better sounding kit. And with that in mind, and considering your budget, more spent in this area now is less spent later.

Personally though, if I wanted a quality kit, I wouldn't even look to Pearl. If I were you I'd buy a Sonor Force 3007. Shit, I play a Tama Starclassic right now, and at the next opportunity I'll be buying Sonor...probably a Delite. They're incredible sounding drums.

Also, and this is important, fuck a huge set. It's all money wasted if you don't know how to use it, and I mean how to REALLY use it. You don't need it at your level. Buy a 5 piece, nothing more.

By the way, Zildjian A Customs are fantastic cymbals, I've been playing them since I started. And they're not a budget line, not by a long shot. That's their ZBT/ZXT/ZHT crap, which sound like manhole covers. At the absolute maximum, no matter what brand you get, you should have no more than 2 crashes, one set of hi-hats, a ride, a china, and a splash. Anything else is frivolous.

Overall, you need to shoot lower. WAY lower. Take it from a drummer of 14 years.

Take lessons ASAP.

Stay away from YouTube "technique" videos for playing metal. It's all bullshit.

Playing metal PROPERLY takes a lot of time and practice, and it's what you learn from playing other genres of music that helps get you there. You'll come out as a stronger, more precise, and creative metal drummer in the end.

Frankly, if you're not serious about really learning how to play, than buy a piece of shit CB percussion kit with no-name cymbals. Don't waste your money.

But if you're serious, listen to mattp and myself. You'll thank yourself later.

Like Matt said, you're focused on QUANTITY over QUALITY. It should be the opposite.

I am not new to drums. I've been playing since I was 3 years old! Check out this video for proof:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl8Ea_zr9Z4I've been at that song since I began liking Lamb of God. I used to play in churches. I would always practice to songs at my house on pans, until I got my first kit. As I got bigger, my parents got me a new kit, I've used that kit ever since they gave it to me. I made alot of adjustments to it. So, the point is, I am not new to drums.

Seems like a lot of fucking videos, right? I was wondering what you were using in those videos, and if you still have those cymbals, and if you could give them to me if you keep them. If not, please tell me if you remember what you were using exactly in those videos, and where the gear might be. I was wondering in the Killadelphia DVD, what Ride were you using in the live performance, and if you kept it, and if you could give it to me. Also, are you still using the Paiste Flanger Bell Cymbal, or the Meinl Soundcaster Custom Distorion Splash?
I was really wondering if you are selling some of your old gear, whether in the videos I mentioned, or some old touring gear that you used whilst touring, from the years of 1999 to 2009. I ask all of this because I checked out this one online ad of buying some of your old stuff you gave to this person after the 2004 tour. Here’s the URL:
http://www.preloved.co.uk/fuseaction-ad ... dvert/index-1031602896/13dc760d.html
I showed my mom the link, and she basically said it was bullshit. She actually said it was bogus, and that If I really wanted your used gear from the years 1999-2009 etc., that I would email you and see if you are still selling your gear, because if I gave some money to this "mysterious" person who claims to have your old gear, I would not receive my cymbal(s). So the big question here is, Will You Give Me Some Of Your Used Gear From The Years 1999-2009? I know your endorsement companies provide you with gear, but I would see if you are really a nice guy. I kind of feel guilty right now because I feel I am taking the pussy way out asking you to give me some old gear instead of saving up my own money. I still have a Mapex VX Series 5 piece kit, along with a pacific drums by dw snare drum, a Mark II bass drum, and tom, and Zildjian Planet Zs, Zildjian Scimtars, and a Paiste PST 5. I want new gear. I ask my parents for new gear, but they won't get me new gear. So please reply as soon as you see this message, and tell me what you would be willing to sell (Microphones, Cymbals, Drums, Hardware, etc.), and how much you would want for the gear. As of now, I only have $42, so, you wouldn't get a lot of money, BUT, you could give it to me for free, BUT, I wouldn't know how to repay you. So, Thank You for reading this message, because I know your touring, BUT, Thanks for taking the time out to read this, and when you're finished reading it, please message me back! Thank You
P.S. On myspace, I added you on my favorite list, and I would appreciate it if you watch this video of me drumming to your band's one song off of New American Gospel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl8Ea_zr9Z4Thank You
Sincerely,
Isaiah!
P.S. P.S. Sorry if I’m asking for to much
Pretty much self-exclamatory. Give your opinion on the email, and what he might say back. I ready for the worst, so hit me with what you got!

You might not be new to drums but your technique is in some pretty bad shape. Get some lessons.

Don't drop $5000 on a bunch of shit that's ultimately a step sideways. Buy $1000 worth of good mics, $1000 worth of a few great cymbals ( Ride, hats, one or two crashes ), and $2000 on a new kit if you want to see some REAL improvement.

Also, a better room to practice in/some acoustic treatment will go a VERY long way in making your kit sound better.

I can't BELIEVE that you have the audacity to just email Chris Adler out of nowhere and ask for some free stuff. That's crazy. If it works, awesome, but you probably will just piss him off.

Well, I even had the audacity to send more drummers the email on their myspace. Trust me, I'm audacious. I sent one to Adrian Erlandsson (Former Drummer of Cradle of Fifth, and Current Drummer of the band Brujeria) and to Matt Byrne (drummer of Hatebreed) I sent the an email asking for gear, and I have bad news, and good news! Heres what Matt said
"sorry man. i don't have any old gear that i'm selling. good luck with your kit!!!
MB"

BUT, Heres what Adrian said
Hey man

"Thanks for the nice comments.
just send me your address and i will send you all surplus gear. No worries man!
Since i make so much money i will bag you some cash as well bro!!

A"

Here are their myspaces "www.myspace.com/adrianerlandsson"
"www.myspace.com/mattbyrnedrummer"

What do you think?

EDIT: So, the Good News is I'M GETTING A NEW DRUM KIT! And as soon as I get it, and set it up, I'll be back to recording videos! Bad news is, I can't send Adrian my address because my mom wants to be safe (Remember those stories of people on myspace who give there addresses to people, and end up getting raped, and/or killed? Were gonna do that thing where you go into the mail office, or some shit, and they give us an address, so, when the stuff comes, it goes there, and we can pick it up. Were gonna do that tommorow, BUT, still I'm getting a new kit. Express your comments!
Go to their myspaces, add them, and wish them luck on touring! Take Care
Sincerely,
Isaiah

I don't believe you Congratulations if you're serious though, I think I'll have to try it myself...

I'm as serious as sirus radio. Just joking. I really did send it out to him, and I think it was very nice he would respond that back. There are some other drummers you can try out on myspace. Here are the ones I tried:
Chris Adler (BTW, Still hasen't been on his myspace)
Adrian Erlandsson
Daniel Erlandsson
Jason Bittner
Tim Yeung
Matt Byrne (said he didn't have any used gear)
Martin "Marthus" Skaroupka (Current Drummer for Cradle of Filth)
Neil Peart
Paul Bostaph
Mike Portnoy
John Tempesta
Gene Hoglan
Flo Mounier
Dave Weckl
Thomas Lang
etc.
Do you want their URLS? Because, I need a nap. LOL! Do you even have a myspace? If you don't create one, and send these people this message:
Hi (insert drummer name here). I wanted to express to you that you are one of my favorite drummers ever! I was really wondering if you are selling some of your old gear, from old touring gear that you used whilst touring. So the big question here is, Will You Give Me Some Of Your Used Gear? I know your endorsement companies provide you with gear, but I would see if you are really a nice guy. I kind of feel guilty right now because I feel I am taking the pussy way out asking you to give me some old gear instead of saving up my own money. I still have (enter the gear you have) I want new gear. So please reply as soon as you see this message, and tell me what you would be willing to sell (Microphones, Cymbals, Drums, Hardware, etc.), and how much you would want for the gear. As of now, I only have (enter your budget) so, you wouldn't get a lot of money, BUT, you could give it to me for free, BUT, I wouldn't know how to repay you. So, Thank You for reading this message, because I know your touring, BUT, Thanks for taking the time out to read this, and when you're finished reading it, please message me back! Thank You
Thank You
Sincerely,
(Enter your name here)
P.S. Sorry if I’m asking for to much
Modify the message if you want. Good Luck!

He seriously sent me the email back. And, I sent him my mom's adress so, if hes really true, I'll still get the kit. I'll get the fucking pics. Jusst give me a week. Anyway, take a look at what these bitches said on the Pearl Drummers archives.
http://www.pearldrummersforum.com/showt ... 289&page=3

He seriously sent me the email back. And, I sent him my mom's adress so, if hes really true, I'll still get the kit. I'll get the fucking pics. Jusst give me a week. Anyway, take a look at what these bitches said on the Pearl Drummers archives. http://www.pearldrummersforum.com/showt ... 289&page=3

If that's actually surprising that they responded like that to you, I have no hope in you.

He seriously sent me the email back. And, I sent him my mom's adress so, if hes really true, I'll still get the kit. I'll get the fucking pics. Jusst give me a week. Anyway, take a look at what these bitches said on the Pearl Drummers archives. http://www.pearldrummersforum.com/showt ... 289&page=3

How in the hell are Pearl Drums not good drums? You said better drums. Pearl Drums are the best, mate! If you don't think there good, what kind of drums do you like?

First and foremost, you're obviously a newbie to drums. Your biggest problem is that you expect to blow thousands of dollars on tons of equipment and POOF! You're a metal drummer and you can BLASTRAWRAWRAWR!!!!

It doesn't work that way.

First, you'll develop bad technique and form. Second, you'll play sloppy and out of time. Third, you'll work three times as hard trying to break those habits over the years. And you may actually hurt yourself somewhere in between. No joke.

My point with the "buy better drums" comment had nothing to do with the fact that they're Pearls. Pearl makes competent drums. But the drum LINE and setup that you're looking at is a mass-produced budget line made for unsuspecting, uneducated metal drummer wannabes such as yourself. Don't be taken in by the flashy double bass and "metal" setup. Again, this isn't exclusive to Pearl - Tama does the same thing.

FYI - This isn't meant to be a stab at you, this is to educate you and hopefully prevent you from making the same mistakes that so many new drummers make. You shouldn't want to spend all this money on a huge set and a ton of hardware and mics and try to record. You've got a LONG way to go before you can record...and why would you want to record on budget, shit equipment?

When I say better drums, I mean spend more on a higher-quality kit - Pearl's equivalent would be the Reference line. From the type of wood used to the number of plies, to the hardware, trim, build quality, and most importantly, the SOUND - it absolutely blows that other kit out of the water. Event perfect tuning and the best drum heads out there couldn't make your set sound better. A day would come when you'd want a better sounding kit. And with that in mind, and considering your budget, more spent in this area now is less spent later.

Personally though, if I wanted a quality kit, I wouldn't even look to Pearl. If I were you I'd buy a Sonor Force 3007. Shit, I play a Tama Starclassic right now, and at the next opportunity I'll be buying Sonor...probably a Delite. They're incredible sounding drums.

Also, and this is important, fuck a huge set. It's all money wasted if you don't know how to use it, and I mean how to REALLY use it. You don't need it at your level. Buy a 5 piece, nothing more.

By the way, Zildjian A Customs are fantastic cymbals, I've been playing them since I started. And they're not a budget line, not by a long shot. That's their ZBT/ZXT/ZHT crap, which sound like manhole covers. At the absolute maximum, no matter what brand you get, you should have no more than 2 crashes, one set of hi-hats, a ride, a china, and a splash. Anything else is frivolous.

Overall, you need to shoot lower. WAY lower. Take it from a drummer of 14 years.

Take lessons ASAP.

Stay away from YouTube "technique" videos for playing metal. It's all bullshit.

Playing metal PROPERLY takes a lot of time and practice, and it's what you learn from playing other genres of music that helps get you there. You'll come out as a stronger, more precise, and creative metal drummer in the end.

Frankly, if you're not serious about really learning how to play, than buy a piece of shit CB percussion kit with no-name cymbals. Don't waste your money.

But if you're serious, listen to mattp and myself. You'll thank yourself later.

Like Matt said, you're focused on QUANTITY over QUALITY. It should be the opposite.

Any suggestions for a first kit and where I can get a decent teacher, or should I just start with five-piece? Sorry if this seems naive.

For my first kit I bought a Network (I don't know if you know this brand!! I don't think so but...) and it's good for beginning but cymbals are just shit they'll break easily but the heads has a good duration he cost 500$ with tax. If you are looking for more better beginning drum, I tried a Pearl Forum at 969$ and I found that he sounded good for a beginner and the cymbals will be more solid than the Network because it's Solar changed in Pearl so it's frequently solid Solar cymbals. You also have Mapex Q Series, Tama Imperialstar but I didn't tried them yet so...